The Wilv Covote

By Randy Dibblee

It is believed that canine-like animals first appeared in earth's rich and diverse wild menagerie about 35,000 years ago. Wild dogs got alongwith people well enough until the latter discovered the science of animal husbandry, and the former learned that domestic prey were easier to catch than wild ones.

Gary Turbak, Twilight Hunters

| ohnny Gus MacCormack proved it. 4 J The 29-lb. male he trapped near the Souris Line Road in 1983 was the first authenticated record cf a coyote on Prince Edward Island. But coyotes had probably been here for a few years prior to that. Their arrival was the culmination cf a long and interesting saga.

The Immigrant

Originally an animal cf the Western Great Plains, the coyote began extending its range following European settlement cf the region during the late 19th century. The reasons for its rapid dispersal are speculative, but clearing of the dense

eastern continental forests and the extirpation cf timber wolves, cougars, and other large predators are thought to be contributing factors. Historically, wolves competed with coyotes and frequently killed them. But the specialiazed and predictable habits cf wolf packs made themvulnerable to both trap and gun. Coy otes,on the other hand, could not easily be exterminated. As European settlers moved westward,they eliminated most cf the wolves and other carnivores. In the process, they created a vacant niche ideally suited to coyotes. The ever-resourceful canid seized the opportunity, and it hasn't looked back.

Moving steadily eastward, coyotes reached New Brunswick during the 1960s.Ten years later, they were in Nova Scotia. The Island provinces were next. By the early '80s, coyotes had crossed over to Prince Edward Island, and by decade's end, they were discovered in Newfoundland. Today, the coyote is found in almost every part cf the conti-nent, and has even extended its range through much of Central America.

The coyote came to the Island by sea — or, to be more precise, by ice. This is hardly surprising. Longtreks across the ice are notuncommonforcoyotes. Mem-bers of the dog family are the marathoners cf the mammal world, and have tremendous capacitiesfor long-dis-tance travel. Ice-breaker crews have ob-served and photographed coyotes far out on the Northumberland Strait and the Gulf cf St. Lawrence in winter. The first Island coyotes may have crossed near Wood Islands, where the winter ice bridge is usually contiguous.

The coyote is now found in every part of Prince Edward Island, and its num-bers are continuing to expand. When they move into anew area, such as Prince Edward Island, coyote populationsgrow rapidly, almost doubling annually. But fear cf being overrun with coyotes is unwarranted, since coyote populations are self-limiting. Coyote pairs, which of-ten mate for life, typically will claim and defend a territory cf about 50 square kilometres (about 20 square miles) in which to hunt and raise their young. As

the coyote population grows here, the number of territories available will be limited by the size of the province and the availability of suitable habitat. Biolo-gists feel that the coyote population on thelslandwilleventuallyleveloffatabout 700 animals as the carrying capacity of the habitat is reached.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

The coyote is one of eight native North American wild dogs of the family Canidae, which includes wolves and foxes. Its scientific name, Cams latrans, means "barking dog," a reference to its well-known vocalizations. The word "coyote" is derived from the Aztec word coyotl, the name that Spanish explorers heard the Nahuatl Indians use. Incidentally, both pronunciations, Ki-o-te or Ki-ot, are correct.

The eastern coyote, the variety that inhabits the Island, is larger than its western cousin. Adults weigh about 14 kg (30 lb.), though some adult males exceed 23 kg (501b.). The eastern coyo-te's larger body size has been attributed to interbreeding with both southern red wolves and northern timber wolves. This may also explain its affinity for forested habitats.

Coyotes are about as big as a me-dium-sized dog, and range in colourfrom cream to almost black. Most, however, are tawny grey, with a black swatch along the middle of the back from the shoulder to the bushy tail, which is usually held low. A reddish phase is also common in the Maritimes, but none of the roughly 30 pelts examined so far on Prince Edward Island exhibit this peculiarity. Coyotes are easily distinguished from foxes by their larger size (foxes average only 5 kg — 12 lb.), and, unlikefoxes,have no white tip on the tail.

Coyotesbreed in February or March, and a litter of five to seven

young is born in an underground den in April or May. The female seldom digs her own tunnel from scratch. Opportun-istic as always, she prefers to modify the den of a fox or other mammal. After eight weeks of nursing and feeding, the young are ready to leave the den and begin the process of learning how to hunt and fend for themselves. The fam-ily unit stays together through late fall, when the young disperse prior to the next breeding season.

Although biologically classified as carnivores (meat eaters), coyotes are omnivorous in their eating habits. They will kill and eat live prey, consume dead animals (carrion), or dine on fruit, seeds, and grass. Apartiallist of food items that have been found in coyote stomachs includes mice, voles, shrews, squirrels, hares, deer, rabbits, skunks, raccoons, muskrats, beavers, grouse, small birds, domestic livestock (usually as carrion), poultry, grass, seeds, apples, blueber-ries, and bayberries. In short, coyotes aren't fussy. They are opportunistic feed-ers that will eat whatever is available.

The arrival cf the coyote has aroused concerns about the impact coyotes will have on wildlife populations on the Island. Ithas never been demonstrated that coyo-tes control the numbers cf their prey. In fact, the opposite has been proven. For instance, when the population of a prey species such as snowshoe hares is high, predators feed on them; when the popula-tion is low,

will either drive them out or kill them. In recent years, there has been an increase in reported sightings cf foxes in Island farmyards and suburban communities. These have been attributed to high fox populations. More likely, the growing number cf coyotes is forcing foxes out into more exposed, less desirable habitat. In the long run, the red fox population on the Island will probably decline as they are displaced by their larger cousins.

The Hunter and the Hunted

The secret cf the coyote's success lies in its ability to adjust to almost any situation, particularly to the presence of humans. In fact, it prospers by taking advantage of their activities. "The adaptable coyote," writes naturalist Hope Ryden, "is not only capable cf bivouacking where he pleases, he seems able to adopt any number cf lifestyles. He can hunt either by day or by night, dine on fresh meat or survive off carrion, raid town garbage pits or feast on wild fruits and berries, den in burrows or whelp in conduit pipes, run in packs or operate as a loner." Such versatility has made the coyote one cf the few species that has been able to extend its range

naturally during historic times. But not everyone likes a win-

ner. On Prince Edward Island and elsewhere, the history cf human-coyote relations has been fraught with problems.

For although the vast ma-jority of coyotes feed on wild, natural sources of food, a few prey on small domestic farm animals,

particularly sheep and poul-try. Newborn calves dropped

in open fields are also vulner-able. People tend to view the ani-

mal kingdom as comprised of good critters and bad ones. Understand-

ably, coyotes are seen as villains, par-ticularly when they are eating up next month's mortgage payment in the form of market lambs.

They may not be popular, but coyotes are here to stay. For over a century now, North Americans have waged war on them. Coyotes have been poisoned and trapped, tracked with hounds, hunted down with snowmobiles, shot from air-craft. Farmers have cursed them. Gov-ernments have put a price on their heads. Instead of eliminating the coyote or re-ducing its numbers, the relentless cam-paign seems to have had the opposite

effect. Where there were once a few million coyotes in the Great Plains re-gion, there are now tens of millionsoccu-pying almost the entire continent.

Coyotes respond to persecution with a phenomenon known as "compensa-tory reproduction." When the coyote population density declines because of hunting or trapping pressures, coyotes respond by having larger litters with higher survival rates. They also become warier and more difficultto trap or shoot.

Nova Scotia's experience during the 1980s illustrates the futility of trying to control coyote numbers while the spe-cies is expanding to fill the available habitat. Despite a bounty of $50 per kill, the coyote population continued to grow, practically doubling each year. Bounty payments followed suit; in four years they skyrocketed from $2,250 to $22,100. At that point, the province wisely elimi-nated the bounty.

The simplefactremainsthat most coyo-tes are not problem animals. Our efforts should be directed at controlling those coyotes that prey on livestock. Even bet-ter, we should try to prevent the prob-lems from occurring in the first place.

Coyotes are clever and resourceful predators, but a number cf common sense steps can be taken to keep them away from Island livestock. Lambs are often put out to pasture at the same time that young coyotes are being taught to hunt —with unfortunate results for the lambs. Island sheep breeders are aware of the problem, and most have taken appropri-ate steps. Counter measures such as predator-proof electric fencing, guard dogs, and guard donkeys have proven helpful in reducing losses. Beef farmers can prevent the loss of newborncalvesby making sure cows calve in the barn in-stead of in open fields. Once cow and calf are up and around, problems with coyo-tes are uncommon. Similarly, a coyote is no match for a mare with a foal. Indeed, another member cf the horse family, the donkey, is frequently used to guard flocks cf sheep from coyotes. Livestock produc-ers should not dispose cf dead stock by dumpingtheir carcasses in the backfields or woods. Coyotes are carrion eaters. A gift meal like that will only give them a taste for domestic livestock that could lead to later attacks on live animals.

House cats and small dogs are also at risk. Feral cats and dogs, roaming at large, are themselves a problem, and represent no great loss if they serve as a coyote meal. In fact, more Island live-stock has probably been killed by dogs

than coyotes. Family pets are another matter. Owners concerned about the welfare of their pets should not permit them to roam unaccompanied in fields or woodlots.

The Human Factor The fear of coyotes is not restricted to livestock and pets. Some people worry about the possibility cf attacks on humans, particularly small children. Despite their ability to adapt to human habitat, coyotes are normally very wary of humans, avoiding contact whenever possible. Documented cases of coyotes attacking children are extremely rare, and are invariably associated with coyotes that have lost their fear cf humans as a result cf beingfed, often in parks, campgrounds, or urban areas. A few precautions will suffice. Do not attempt to tame coyotes by feeding them or leave food where they can find it. Report any animals, and, as with all wild animals, do not deliberately approach them.

Peaceful Co-existence Despite its tenacity and its talent for colonization (it really is an ecological success story), the coyote is despised by many. And yet, an understanding of the coyote's place in the ecosystem should help us accept and cope with the Island's controversial new resident. Coyotes in no way threaten our enjoyment of walking in Island fields and woodlands. If anything, sightings of this wary creature should enhance our outdoor experiences. Coyotes are also avaluable addition to our furbearer resource, and

will provide trappers with an additional source of income.

Obviously, much more can — and will—be said on the subject as Islanders and coyotes learn to co-exist in the years ahead. Coyotes are certainly enjoying the opportunities that Prince Edward Island offers. Only the future will reveal whether or not Islanders will come to accept and enjoy coyotes as part of our wildlife heritage.

Sources Important scientific studies about the coyote include Marc Bekoffs Coyotes: Biology, Behavior, and Management (New York: Academic Press, 1978).Their expansion into the Atlantic Provinces is analyzed in G. C. Moore and G. R. Parker's "Colonization by the Eastern Coyote/'apaperpresentedin November 1991 at the Eastern Coyote Symposium in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Other secondary sources may beless intimidating for the general reader. Among these, I recommend G Turbak and A. Carey's beautifully illustrated Twilight Hunters: Wolves, Coyotes, and Foxes,published in Flagstaff, Arizona,by NorthlandPublishing '{jodsDogby Hope Dryden; and C. L. Cadieux, Coyotes: Predators and Survivors (Washington: Stone Wall Press, 1983). Though pub-lished back in 1951, The Clever Coyote by S. P. Young and H. T.Jackson (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press) is still useful. Barry Sabean, furbearer biolo-gist with the Nova Scotia Department of NaturalResources, has written a number of articles on the coyote, most notably "The Eastern Coyote in Nova Scotia, "in Conservation, 13(1989)1.

Dr. David Sims and OrysiaDawydiak of York, Prince Edward Island, have written a book, Livestock Protection Dogs: Selection, Care and Training, which ex-plains the use cf Eurasian breeds of guard dogs to protect sheep. It draws extensivelyon their experience with rais-ing and training the Turkish Akbash breed of guard dog, and I recommend it to anyone considering this option. Ife